Are you starting to look at the product labels before purchasing them inside the grocery? If yes, you are beginning to pay attention to what you eat. And that’s a good thing!

Especially now that it’s summer, enjoying seasonal fruits and vegetables has never been more exciting than today. 

Whether you’re craving cherries, strawberries, or even grapes, now is the right time to add to your cart! But if you’re quenching lemons, limes, oranges, and pears, you might have to wait until winter.

Although it might be available, it will not be as nutritious as it is during its season. That’s why we have gathered everything you need about the benefits of eating seasonal fruits and vegetables. 

Let’s dive into the beautiful world of seasonal eating and discover how this simple change in our food choices can significantly benefit our health, the environment, and the local economy. So, let’s start this exciting journey to a more sustainable and healthier way of eating!

Health Benefits of Eating Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables

When it comes to our diet, we often hear to add fruits and vegetables to maintain a healthy lifestyle. But do you know why? Here are a few benefits of seasonal produce. 

1. More Nutrients

Especially in season, eating produce offers a host of advantages. One of the primary advantages of eating seasonal fruits and vegetables is their higher nutritional value.

When produce is picked at its peak ripeness and consumed shortly after, it retains more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, essential for our overall well-being.

 2. It Tastes Better

If you want to maximize the benefits of strawberries, you must get them during their season. This is because they can ripen naturally on the plant before being harvested.

This natural ripening process gives them more delicious flavors, making them even more enjoyable. Seasonal fruits are often sweeter and juicier. It is an even tastier treat for our taste buds!

3. Supports Our Body’s Needs

Nature takes care of us by providing the right foods at the right time. 

Seasonal produce aligns with the changing seasons and helps our bodies cope with specific times of the year. 

For example, when winter’s colder, specific fruits and vegetables like oranges and carrots are more abundant. These foods are rich in vitamins that can boost our immune system. It keeps you healthy during winter.

Our bodies are used to eating different foods at different times of the year. When we follow these natural cycles, it can improve how our bodies digest food. This is how you’ll keep feeling good all year round. 

Environmental Benefits of Eating Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables

Since we were kids, we have been hearing about how to take care of the planet. One way we can do that is by eating seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Beyond the health benefits, locally grown produce is also said to have a high advantage environmentally, and below’s why. 

1. It Reduces Carbon Footprint

 When we eat seasonal produce, it means that the fruits and vegetables we enjoy are grown nearby. They don’t have to travel long distances to reach us. 

Transporting food over long distances requires lots of energy. It also releases harmful gases into the air, making climate change worse. 

If you’ve been wanting a Chicago-themed produce platter, choosing local, seasonal produce near you also means less energy used. Therefore produces fewer of these harmful gases.

2. Preserves Biodiversity

Biodiversity means having a wide variety of plants and animals in an area. We get to maintain the ecosystem and prevent the loss of plant and animal species. 

This is possible as we support and encourage our local farmers to grow different types of crops. Through this, we can keep a balanced and healthy environment. It also supports the growth of native plants that is highly beneficial to our local ecosystem. 

3. Conservation of Water Resources

Water is what makes life here on Earth possible. That is why using it wisely is essential. 

When we eat fruits and vegetables according to their season, this reduces the need for water. They can already adapt to the climate and other conditions. 

With this said, you can save resources. Agriculture has always been the largest consumer of freshwater. Eating fruits and vegetables in its seasons conserves water by two things:

  • Reducing the need for artificial irrigation
  • Minimizing the strain on water supplies

Economic Benefits of Eating Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables

When choosing what we eat, many good reasons exist to opt for seasonal fruits and vegetables. Not only do they taste better and offer more nutritional value, but they also bring several economic benefits. 

1. Support for Local Farmers

Yes, you directly support your local farmers and community by taking advantage of seasonal produce. 

When farmers can sell their produce directly to customers, the demand increases.  They can gain a significant portion. Doing so makes them invest in their farms, get better equipment, and improve overall quality. 

2. Lower Costs for You

Eating seasonal fruits and vegetables can also lead to cost savings for consumers. Here’s how:

  • Reduced Transportation
  • Seasonal products do not require extensive cold storage. It reduces costs and energy consumption.
  • You can avoid price hikes and enjoy fresher, more affordable options.

3. Encourages Agricultural Practices

Farmers can be encouraged to do crop rotation when we buy produce from them. This means they can grow different crops at different times of the year. 

When this happens, they can break the soil and let it rest. Doing this makes it healthy for the ground and gives us better and tastier fruits and veggies. When we buy and eat seasonal fruits and veggies, we support the farmers who work hard to grow them. 

For instance, if you are in Illinois, this is a great advantage. You get to choose Illinois produce by season that is both sustainable and gives economic stability. 

We help the Earth, the farmers, and ourselves by picking seasonal fruits and vegetables. It’s a win-win for everyone!

Final Thoughts

Eating seasonal fruits and vegetables benefits our health, the environment, and the economy. 

As individuals, we can positively impact by adopting seasonal eating habits. Let’s be mindful of what’s in season and make it a part of our daily meals. This small change can contribute to a healthier planet and communities.

However, we acknowledge that there might be challenges. Here at Fresh Farms, we provide seasonal produce online and in-store. We try to make it easier for you to find and enjoy the freshest fruits and vegetables, no matter where you live!